Weird issue at stop lights

I've searched and couldn't find anything on this related to the Tacoma. I consistently have issues with my truck not tripping the proximity sensors at traffic lights. The only thing I can think of is that having the plastic bed is having an affect. I'm curious to know if anyone else has this issue.

Before I bought the Tacoma, we had a major intersection near my house reworked to only change with the proximity sensors. I make a left turn here every day. It worked great with my Frontier, I'd pull up and pretty quickly get a left turn arrow. I started noticing with the Taco that I wasn't getting the turn arrow so I thought the sensor was messed up. I've been paying closer attention for a few months now and noticed that it seems to work for others. I've had times early in the morning where i've had to run the red light after it cycled thru the other directions without giving me a green light. I've had this happen at other intersections also. Its pretty annoying.

 

Never had an issue with mine.

 

The inductive in the asphalt ones? I find that hard to believe as you can stop a bike (the kind with pedals) on the edge of them and they will trip it.

 

I re

Yep. I really only notice it in my small town where I can often be the only person waiting in my direction. However, a few days ago I was at an intersection here where i was first in line, waiting to go straight, on Friday afternoon when we have a lot of traffic. The sensor didn't trip. A huge line built up behind me. After the other directions cycled three times I ended up having to make a right turn just to move. While stopped at the next light, I saw in my rear view the signal I had left finally cycled to the direction I was trying to go.

 

Maybe the little gremlin that sits in the control box and turns the lights off and on just likes to look at your truck! He doesn't want you to drive off so quick

 

How much lift do you have on the truck?

 

I assume you have adjusted where your truck sits on the sensor? Maybe you pulled too far forward, or not far enough. New sensor will likely trigger in a slightly different spot.

 

What exactly is a proximity sensor? Typically traffic lights, drive thru menues etc. use vehicle detection loops which are basically metal detectors. unless you had a crazy big lift on the truck, this shouldn't cause a problem

 

Never had issue. The only way to improve your truck is to add armor and lots of it.

 

Right, which is why I'm thinking they are not using sawcut loops near the OP. Composite beds really shouldn't cause an issue with those. The quick service restaraunt loops I work with are 20awg twisted pairs wrapped 6 times. These are not as robust as the loops used at traffic lights and even so, it takes either a seriously high vehicle or a failing loop for there to be a problem.

 

You're used to driving a Frontier..... so obviously...you've found the perfect 'sweet spot' to put the tires on the pavement.

When you're sitting in your tacoma - how do you really know WHERE the tacoma wheels are sitting VERSUS where the Frontier wheels were sitting?? You could be off just simply by the seating placement & wheel placement between both trucks.

You'll just have to move back or forward to discover 'where' the new SWEET SPOT is.

 

So ... Maybe my issue is an anomaly.

I call it a proximity sensor, buts its the in-ground loops designed to detect metal, which is why I thought the bed might be an issue.

My truck is a stock Prerunner, so height shouldn't be an issue.

This is something that i've noticed for a while. So i've been experimenting before posting here. I've been trying different spots to veer left into the turn lane and stopping different distances from the light. One morning I was the intersection at 6am, no other traffic. After waiting a while I started pulling back and forward, angling left and right, trying to trip the sensor before just going thru the red light. At that point I figured the sensor was defective. However, I've noticed since then if there's another car in front of me, their car trips the sensor and we get the left turn light.

I've been driving almost 35 years with lots of different vehicles. The only other times I've had this problem is with a motorcycle or bicycle. Its so weird to me that its consistent since I bought the Tacoma. Maybe it is time for some mods. I've been eyeing that Mobtown front recovery bar.

 

I've never had this problem with my Tacoma but I used to have a LOT of trouble with it when I had my lifted FJ40. I don't know if it was the height or the aftermarket aluminum body but it sure was annoying.

 

Even a lift will not be a problem as the front and/or rear diff is enough metal to change the circuit in the traffic loop.
Contact the traffic engineer in that location and report that it is not adjusted correctly.

 

Just change the stealth setting to off and the issue will be resolved.